Mr ‘Finders Keepers’ and lots of other things famous music lover Andy Votel answers to a few questions I’ ve sent (part of the interview is published in the newspaper Ta Nea.
But here is the whole story… Don’t miss him tonight at BIOS.
“Making old music feel young” Basically we hunt for vintage music which is more forward thinking than most modern music. We resurrect music from the underexposes parts of the world that were not aligned with conventional western trends in a hope to bring very fresh sounding music to new ears. We find original albums and mastertapes that work in a contemporary context with an emphasis on bizarre, drum heavy and accidental psychedelic elements. In the years since the label started the record-diging community has multiplied 10 times so the chance of finding totally unknown music gets slimmer this is why we now aim to release LPs that never actually came out such as demos and turned-down or forbidden releases.
Being in music, and various projects, what does usually challenge you?
I’m often challenged by the terrible mess that the major music industry has left pop-history in. A lot of amazing and misunderstood music is trapped in aincient contracts with un-realistic ransom fees. Failed or Maverick musicians are still being punished for poor sales instaed of being given chance to re-prove their worth in an enlightened cliamte.
Old music vs now music? You take sides?
Truly experimental and spontaneous music relies on physical restrictions. Those restrictions don’t really exist with advanced technology because its easy to acheive exactly what you want pretty instantly or start again. I’m a huge fan of mistake music modern music is in danger of losing this human element.
Best kept secret in music today?
Is Samandtheplants.
Are you any familiar with Greek music?
Of course, in fact i’d love to meet up with a member of The Charms while i’m in Athens about some collaborative work. Iv also tried to release some music by Elpida in the past. There are a lot of rare progressive and psychedelic LPs form Greece but i personally think some of the most interesting moments are in sixties pop music the unintentional indigenous elements are almost avant garde by default.
‘Who killed the Dragon’ by Vangelis…What would you say about this album?
What are you most proud of recently?
I think its actually a slightly redundent concept which is a shame as well as an asset. 30 years ago popular bands shred huge fan bases but nowadays every young person you meet with ahve their own personal favourite artist because there is such a wide world of easily made good music out there distributed by technology. its good for individuality but ‘pop’ and its social benefits is almost non existent.
The Serge Gainsbourg project. What was the thing about Serge, do you think, that makes his music and aura last till today?
Pro activity and a huge ammount of style, poeticism and mischief.
How do you see the ‘Charlotte-Beck’s collaboration?
Do you have enough room for your records?
No. But i do alot of mix tapes to try and slim-down the LP’s that only contain 1 bar of good music…. theyve gotta go!
What should the audience expect in Athens?
Bizarre and dancable music that wasnt built for travel. An open mind is essential but subtitles wont be included.
Can you give us five tracks that you love at the moment?
1. Marta Kubisova – Svlikam Lasku (Czech 69)
2. George Romanos – Two small blue horses (Greece 1970)
3. Sroeng Santi – Kun Kun Loeng Loeng (Thailand 1972)
4. Plastics – Robot (Japan 1980)
5. Superman Supercool – Jacky Chalard (France 1975)